Greg Buckle

McKenna sounded a warning to AFL rivals by saying his young side are starting to come of age after finishing 17th, 17th and 14th in their first three seasons.

Gold Coast handed the Kangaroos their third loss of the year on Sunday as the visitors triumphed 18.12 (120) to North's 11.11 (77) at Etihad Stadium.

The Suns claimed their fifth victory in the first seven rounds to consolidate their place within the top eight.

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Gold Coast's skipper Gary Ablett produced another spectacular performance after being reasonably quiet by his standards until three-quarter time. The two-time Brownlow Medallist finished with 28 disposals and a game-high four goals, three of which came in the final term.

"We've given ourselves an opportunity," McKenna said of his side's chances of making the top eight.

"If we stay fit, at 5-2 now, when I say it's a realistic aim, there's a lot of water to go under the bridge, but it should be.

"The chairman has put a bit of heat on us about winning a flag, but we can give ourselves an opportunity."

Gold Coast ruckman Tom Nicholls limped off during the third quarter and McKenna said the full extent of the injury to his knee was not yet known.

The Suns kicked the first seven goals but watched their lead drop to four points in the third term before breaking clear again.

"We wanted to apply the pressure that we would expect to apply to a side in the finals," McKenna said.

"Their ability to absorb that pressure from North Melbourne, weather the storm, that was really pleasing.

"We're certainly starting to see those boys come of age which is exciting."

Leading by 36 points at quarter-time and 17 at halftime, the Suns were tested in the third term but North made crucial mistakes.

"We conceded two really, really soft goals very late in the third quarter," North's coach Brad Scott said.

The Suns finished strongly with a five-goal final term.

North managed one goal in the last quarter as once again poor ball use made it tough for key forwards Drew Petrie, Aaron Black and Majak Daw.